I have learned to handle criticism more positively, says Dino Ali

By Sadaf Fayyaz Apr 17th, 2012 ( No Comment )

He doesn’t need any introduction. Being one of the first male VJs of Pakistan and a face of MTV, he has it all. He is a singer, actor, TV person, radio presenter and producer, too. Being host of the popular show, ‘The Tonight Show’ on MTV, Dino simply proves what he is. He is dazzling and pretty multifaceted. While talking to The News Tribe (TNT), he was like:

TNT: Tell something about your childhood.

Dino: I had a very happy childhood. I have come from a large family of eight siblings. It was fun growing up surrounded by my brothers and sisters and their music tastes. Plus my parents are award winning actors and my grandfather Noor Mohammad Charlie was the most famous comedian of Indo/Pak, so I grew up surrounded by a world of media. Hence the endless support from the family helped a lot too.

TNT: What major changes do you see now and time when you joined TV and radio?

Dino: I guess the only major change I see is within my own self from the time I came into the field and now. That major change is that I’ve learned to handle criticism more positively. I understand the fact that everyone is not going to like what I do.

TNT: Say a few lines about radio presenters today.

Dino: There are many who take their job really seriously and research the music they play in their shows. But a majority of the kids today take radio presenting as a pastime and aren’t serious about it. It’s an honourable profession and demands respect, commitment and hard work.

TNT: Say a few lines about your song “Jaan lo”. What was the response from the audience?

Dino: People have always been kind and respectful towards my music. I am glad that everyone gave me a very good response. I was seriously over the moon for the kind of feedback I’ve been getting to the new sound I put, so yeah it’s been wonderful.

TNT: What is the most stupid thing that you dislike being on air?

Dino: That only that I don’t like about being on air is when ignorant listeners send messages or call in and try to insult you by saying you are doing a bad show or they don’t like you or the music that you play. I mean seriously if you don’t like what you are hearing change the channel. It’s really that simple. Don’t waste your time and money on telling someone you don’t like.

TNT: What is your inspiration?

Dino: I have different inspirations for different things I do: for music it’s been legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson to local greats such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Sahib and Sajjad Ali. For radio I’ve always been inspired by international DJs like Bobby Friction and many more. When it comes to TV, they are Fakhr-e-Alam, Johnathan Ross, and Parkinson but overall my parents are my biggest inspiration.

TNT: What are qualities of a good Radio Presenter according to you?

Dino: A good radio presenter is the one who keeps himself updated on latest music, does a unique show, and isn’t disrespectful towards any artist or fan. He has to have good sense of humour too.

TNT: What characteristics attract you as a person?

Dino: Honesty, good heart, good sense of humour and determination.

TNT: What would you suggest to youngsters joining radio?

Dino: Work hard, work on your flow, be a professional and treat the job with respect and always play good music no matter what genre you follow.

TNT: Is there any message for readers?

Dino: A saying I live my life by: ‘Never let success go to your head and never let failures go to your heart’.